Dr. John Barras Autism Scholarship Program

Dr. Barras has announced the creation of a new scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship will provide educational assistance for an individual who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD or autism). It is being offered in order to encourage those individuals to continue their education, and thereby to achieve their career goals, at the same time lessening the financial burden associated with attendance at an educational institution. The scholarship will consist of tuition assistance, and will be paid to the school selected by the winning applicant.

How Autism Affects Education

Autism, now known as ASD, refers to numerous disorders that were at one time separately classified. They include autistic disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Autism, or ASD, refers to a range of conditions that are characterized by challenges in social skills, communication (verbal and non-verbal), and repetitive behaviors. The wide variety of challenges, caused by differing environmental and genetic influences, is reflected in the word “spectrum.”

Because of the nature of ASD, it often has a profound effect upon the educational process. Some examples include delayed speech, difficulties in understanding and following directions, and issues with social interaction, among others.

Our Autism Scholarship

This is a scholarship, in the form of tuition assistance, that will help cover the cost of attending a college, junior college or university, or a trade or vocational school. The funds will be paid to the school chosen by the successful applicant.

Eligibility

If you are a U.S. citizen who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (DSM-V), and you wish to continue your education at a university/college/junior college or trade/vocational school, you are eligible to apply for the scholarship. You do not have to be enrolled at the time that you submit your application, but you must utilize the scholarship within a year from the date the award is announced.

Deadline for Submitting Your Application

Your application must be submitted to us, including any upload(s), no later than February 27, 2018.

The Application

For a chance to win the scholarship, you must complete the application, which consists of the following: